Methods, Systems, and Devices Relating to Wireless Power Transfer

Abstract

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to transcutaneous energy transfer systems comprising an internal coil positioned within a cavity of a patient and an external coil inductively coupled to the internal coil. The systems can be coupled to any implantable medical devices, such as, for example, a heart assist device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transcutaneous energy transfer system comprising:
 (a) an internal coil sized to be positioned within a pleural cavity of a patient, wherein the internal coil is configured to be positioned in proximity with at least one lung within the pleural cavity; and   (b) an external coil configured to be positioned in proximity to the patient such that the external coil and the internal coil are inductively coupled.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal coil has a diameter of at least about 6 cm. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal coil is positioned substantially against an inner wall of the pleural cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a self-expanding structure operably coupled to the internal coil. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the self-expanding structure is made of a shape memory material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the self-expanding structure is configured to expand such that the internal coil is in contact with an inner wall of the pleural cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the self-expanding structure comprises at least one insulated connector configured to prevent formation of a competing electrical circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the internal coil is configured to be positioned around the at least one lung. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external coil comprises a shoulder strap cushion. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external coil is integrated into a shoulder strap, backpack, bag, vest, shirt, jacket, bed, chair, or car seat. 
     
     
         11 . A transcutaneous energy transfer system operably coupled to a heart assist system, the transcutaneous energy transfer system comprising:
 (a) an internal coil sized to be positioned within a pleural cavity of a patient;   (b) a compliance chamber associated with the internal coil; and   (c) an external coil configured to be positioned in proximity to the patient such that the external coil and the internal coil are inductively coupled.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the compliance chamber is coupled to the internal coil. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the internal coil is positioned within the compliance chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the compliance chamber is an expandable compliance chamber having an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A transcutaneous energy transfer system comprising:
 (a) an internal coil sized to be positioned within a pleural cavity of a patient;   (b) a repeater coil configured to be positioned in proximity to the patient such that the repeater coil and the internal coil are inductively coupled; and   (c) an external coil configured to be positioned such that the external coil and the repeater coil are inductively coupled, whereby the external coil is inductively coupled to the internal coil.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the repeater coil is positioned in proximity to skin of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the internal coil has a diameter of at least about 6 cm. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a self-expanding structure operably coupled to the internal coil. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the external coil comprises a shoulder strap cushion. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the external coil is integrated into a shoulder strap, backpack, bag, vest, shirt, jacket, bed, chair, or car seat.